Comments on: The Home Run Derby is a boring anachronism. Let’s replace it with something fun.http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/
Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball.Tue, 31 Mar 2015 23:02:15 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.com/By: Fantasy Football Consultanthttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739566
Tue, 15 Jul 2014 15:36:15 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739566This article and comments fried my brain and I am dumber now for reading. I really gotta stop reading this trendy pc sports site. I keep thinking its sports news, lol.
]]>By: freddsoxhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739404
Tue, 15 Jul 2014 04:27:13 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739404Hacks complaining about the Home Run derby is as predictable as the sun rising in the east. Don’t watch or better yet don’t write about your complaints. It won’t be in Minneapolis every year.
]]>By: dinofrank60http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739350
Tue, 15 Jul 2014 02:37:55 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739350Automatic improvement: get rid of Berman.
]]>By: tmc602014http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739265
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 23:41:40 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739265How about a stupid public remark competition? We could have Lackey lead off. Matt Harvey could contribute even from the DL. Matt Kemp could wave a two signs, “.263/.327/.453″ and “I just want to play, man”. Dick Monfort belongs here, even without bat nor glove. Bryce in cleanup, Ryan Braun and a cast of thousands saying “I’ve made some mistakes…”. Like the old farces we could throw our peanut shells at the villain of choice. The one under the biggest pile of shells wins the competition and gets an honorary ejection performed by Angel Hernandez, who then throws himself out.
]]>By: uuddlrlrbastarthttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739232
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:39:45 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739232This, absolutely this. The only drag is all the excess non-Derby crap ESPN throws in. Baseball interviews are universally terrible to the point they’ve become self-parodies, so naturally ESPN has a sideline reporter ask inane questions of each hitter either before or after they bat. They show players in the cage between rounds. The last few years there’s been a pointless on-field music performance. The Derby itself doesn’t start until 8:15. David Ortiz invariably will get up to bring someone water and a towel. They interview the contest winners for whatever the fan give-away is.

When ESPN started airing the home run derby, it was tape-delayed and they edited it so it was just the home runs (and Berman, but I think once a year we can all agree he is not history’s greatest monster). That’s what they need to get back to. Just homers.

]]>By: scoman37http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739203
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:05:34 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739203Did you even research the derby before you wrote this? The Derby didn’t start in the mid 80’s. It was a weekly tv show in 1960 and it was awesome(http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Run_Derby_(TV_series). They wrote the winner a check for 2k and they really appreciated the money and wanted to win badly. Do you even like baseball or it’s rich history CC?
]]>By: cassi1125http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-739202
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:04:54 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739202In which case, the home run derby should be peopled entirely by pitchers… Which actually might be kinda cool…
]]>By: mikhelbhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739182
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:34:27 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739182The alternatives sound cool, it is like one of those showcases I used to attend in local baseball leagues, but I doubt there will be players lined up to make the effort of doing it, specially nowadays when everybody is a walking million dollar sign, teams do not want to risk their millionaire “investments”, catchers wont risk doing drills for nothing, not many runners will go because nowadays speed is not considered a weapon as it was before the 1990’s, even today we judge players by their OPS.
]]>By: jss1330http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739139
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 20:42:41 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739139bird calls
square dance calling
log rolling
]]>By: urallstupidhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739125
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 20:27:36 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739125rofl replace homerun derby with even more boring stuff, great stuff Craig. Not to mention the chances of injury of people trying to run out the bases will make potential contestants hesitant to even try it.

Pulling a hamstring for show? No thanks.

]]>By: matgreene19http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739085
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:52:45 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739085Craig. Couldn’t agree more. I am no professional, but as a young kid (12 years old) I was lucky enough to play in the Cooperstown Dreams Park tournament. The night before the round robin begins, all the players/teams enter a competition held in front of the crowd of all of the teams present in the tournament. This consists of a homerun derby, with one player designated from each team, but with less outs. It consists of a “outfield target practice” where the outfielder is rolled a ground ball from a certain distance away and the outfielder has to make a crow-hop throw to a target near homeplate. There is also a inside-the-park homer competition to measure how fast you are around the bases. Lastly, which i loved the most, there was a “throw around” competition. This is a little confusing to explain in words, but it is basically like a throw around when the catcher throws down to third(or first) after a strikeout,you get the outfielders involved a little bit as well. There are so many possibilities, but a “skills” competition may or may not work. Even though all of the events i mentioned above (some of which are parallel to your suggestions) are very fun and thoughtful, I dont know if a combination of these events would necessarily draw more viewers or make it more interesting. Therefore, I still believe the homerun derby will draw the most attention out of any of the ideas.

I say MLB should heavily promote the Futures Game. That was an awesome game yesterday. But who knows whether THAT will draw more attention than the HR derby, because baseball is a game based on percentages, where some of those dudes in the futures game dont necessarily pan out. Its an interesting debate that hopefully will be sorted out per the league or per collective bargaining. Gotta love baseball!

]]>By: scoutsaysweitersisabusthttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-739070
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:36:46 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739070If I wanted to see someone pulling a groin I’d open an incognito tab
]]>By: mybrunobloghttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-739028
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:05:25 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739028I haven’t watched it in years. Is it taped anyway or is it live? They used to tape it and then show it. I’m in the middle.
I can understand why some people enjoy it but I don’t. I’ll be camped in front of my tv with a cold adult beverage and snacks at 8pm tomorrow for the real thing. Send me a memo and let me know who wins the HR Derby, we’ll nah, never mind.
]]>By: perryt200http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739027
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:04:14 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739027“The Home Run Derby is a boring anachronism. Let’s replace it with something fun.”

Talking about a 29 year old even in a game with over 100 years of history. Could just said lets replace baseball with something fun.

First of all in ’85 tickets were $2. That is two dollars. StubHub has some listed now over $3000. So I don’t really see it going away. Simply makes to much money.

But, as for the ASG setting home field advantage in the WS; that is silly. Instead of going back to alternating, they should just tally the wins for both leagues at the end of the season and the one with the highest number wins home field.

]]>By: tonyricemajorharrishttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739018
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:59:56 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739018I think the Derby is fun- it’s the way tv drags it out for 3 hours. That is disgraceful IMO
]]>By: stupidusernamehttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-2/#comment-739012
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:51:30 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739012Outfielders full out sprinting and probably dive to catch fly balls, outfielders throwing a ball 300 feet? I’m not sure participation would be real high in those contests. Here’s another good one: fastest pitch! The inside-the-park race would be interesting, but again could cause injury pretty easily.

I don’t dislike the HR derby. It’s a fun display of how far someone can hit a baseball. It’s a bit more than just batting practice. Let’s not act like it’s easy to hit the ball 400 feet. You and I certainly could not do it today. There are too many outs given to each better. It shouldn’t take half an hour for 1 guy to get 10 outs.

I cannot stand Berman during the derby. I don’t know who can, so how is he sent out there every year?

]]>By: SocraticGadflyhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-739004
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:47:05 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-739004More seriously, an inter-sports contest. You have to mash some taters, then shoot a few 3s, then take a few penalty kicks.
]]>By: SocraticGadflyhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738997
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:44:07 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738997Agreed that the game will adjust away from the “three true outcomes.” After all, Tony the Pony himself has also said that a K is worse than other types of outs.
]]>By: lazlosotherhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738992
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:39:27 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738992I really don’t want to see anyone pulling at a groin.
]]>By: historiophiliachttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738985
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:29:55 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738985Coolness? Do tell, Fonz.
]]>By: sophiethegreatdanehttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738965
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:15:10 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738965I’m no Yankee fan. But I am a fan of the game, and I appreciate Jeter’s place in it. I don’t see any reason why the greats can’t be included in the ASG, especially in their retirement years.

I’ll be you 10 bucks Jeter does something interesting tomorrow night in his last ASG.

Except the ratings prove that people dig the long ball whether you like it or not. Lady years home run derby was higher rated than any single Nba playoff game on espn last year.

I’d argue it’s people bored with no other sports available to watch. The NBA/NHL/NFL are all in the off-season, and there are zero baseball games to be played. Then throw in the caveat of the bolded type*, and the numbers look even more fishy.

Or would you say that the NBA is super popular because: [UPDATE] According to a source with the NBA, the portion of the NBA’s All-Star Saturday Night broadcast that aired the Slam Dunk Contest drew 7.3 million viewers.

*the “on espn” is a caveat because none of the final’s games were on ESPN. It’s like saying MLB is more popular in the world than soccer because more people watched the HR Derby this year than those who watched the WC Finals on ESPN.

]]>By: trbmbhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738960
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:11:07 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738960I can’t really comment on the value of the Homerun Derby given my TV has been programmed now for a number of years to immediately explode if Chris Berman appears. Thus, I haven’t watched that nonsense (the Derby or Berman) in quite some time. As is the case with the extra NBA crap, anything beyond the All Star Game itself rapidly becomes old and boring, thus I think all attention should be directed to the game itself. Making it be a fun viewing should be where ideas need to be directed. And first step might need to be eliminating it as the World Series extra home game determiner.

Here’s an idea. Let the winning team determine how many extra years Selig needs to be penalized relative to his inevitable eventual HOF induction. Perhaps 1 year for each run scored by the winning team.

]]>By: paperlionshttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738958
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:11:00 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738958Just move the Futures Game to Money and can the HR derby (really, the only reason anyone watches it is because there are no other sports on that Monday night in July).

The HR derby is like a hockey shootout without a goalie.

]]>By: fleaman1381http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738955
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:10:43 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738955Getting rid of Berman is the way to go. 30 some years of “back, back, back…” and “whoop!” is the reason why I probably won’t watch the derby. Which I would find so much more tolerable without Chris Berman. Time for a new commentator.
]]>By: fleaman1381http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738952
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:06:05 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738952Is that the one where you could choose the giant living room as the field? Because they should definitely do that.
]]>By: proudlycanadianhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738946
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:02:13 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738946How about a pulled hamstring contest or a pulled groin contest?
]]>By: sophiethegreatdanehttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738940
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:01:02 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738940I’m with you. I’ll dip in and out of the derby.
]]>By: tolbuckhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738938
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:00:04 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738938In the late 80’s they had a skills competition as part of the All Star festivities. In 1989 Barry Larkin was injured participating in it and missed 2 months as a result. He was leading the league in batting at the time. There was a big fuss that an All-Star was hurt during a meaningless skills competition, and all competitions except the Home Run Derby were done away with as a result.

So it is either the Home Run Derby or nothing at all.

]]>By: bob1212http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/the-home-run-derby-is-a-boring-anachronism-lets-replace-it-with-something-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-738931
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:58:14 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=529396#comment-738931“Baseball has acknowledged this to some degree this year, reducing the number of “outs” each participant gets in an effort to make it move along more quickly, but it’ll still drag tonight.”

Baseball didn’t reduce anything, they added two players and another round and kept the same number of “outs” for the total event. Instead of 8 players, then 4, then 2 (at ten “outs” per player per round) for a total of 140 “outs”, it is now 10 players, then 4, then 4, then 2 (at seven “outs” per player per round) for a total of 140 “outs”. Only now with more between rounds time (with the added round) and more time to introduce players (with two more players). Baseball isn’t reducing anything. They are milking it for all it’s worth, because whether you like it or not, the general public loves it (unlike the Pro Bowl). And especially in this era of low-offense, casual fans will love this even more as finally a chance to see one of the most exciting things for a casual fan to watch: a home run.

Baseball fans love the All-Star Game, Casual fans love the Home Run Derby. Baseball needs to continue to attract the casual fans, so they will continue to build up the Home Run Derby.